General / Off-Topic Why do companies show things off to the press, but make them sign NDAs?

[Branithar]

If the point of the press is to share information with the public, why do companies invite the press behind closed doors and make them sign non-disclosure agreements?

 

[Rustnsawdust]

Timing. In the olden days when all media was printed, it took several days or weeks to produce a newspaper or magazine. If the press wanted to report on new products, they needed early access to have the reports as close to launch as possible.

These days, the timing is easier for online media but it still applies.

For many reasons - competition, need to brief retailers/partners - companies usually don't want details in the public domain before they're ready. Briefings under NDA give the media the information they need, and the company the protection they want.

 

[Cmdr Eagleboy]

If the point of the press is to share information with the public, why do companies invite the press behind closed doors and make them sign non-disclosure agreements?

Mostly timing. Sometimes it is not entirely depending on company policies - sometimes media themselves want to have same cut off date - called embargo lift off - for everyone. Like what's the point for someone coming day later than previous media if he can't get article/video at same time as others. Sometimes NDAs are not really required, just threat of access cut off is enough.

In ideal world media would just visit company and see stuff for themselves, but that's not how things are done these days. Mostly devs and media meet during trade shows. And sometimes trade show doesn't happen WHEN you want to reveal that information you are ready to share with media.

edit: also I think FD see that visit more of focus group approach, in such cases NDAs are really not something you can avoid, because otherwise they really can't tell you anything.

 

[Patrick_68000]

We are not in the same world.

There are people who know before all others. Each gives information with prior agreements.

The press is a part of the initiates and it also publishes favorable or unfavorable reviews ...